We have a Winner…and a Second Chance drawing!
I would like to start out by thanking eveyone for all of the well thought out suggestions. They were amazing!…So good, in fact, that I had a very hard time narrowing them down into a pool of potential winners. And honestly as I type this in my pajamas, I am not sure which of these names should win.
I didn’t get much sleep last night because many of your submissions were running through my head. This whole contest has been a blast for me, but a little stressfull too because I need to pick the winner. It had basically come down to a few names. When I awoke this morning, I had an idea. I would ponder each potential winning name seperately and try think of a reason why it should NOT win. If I could think of a reason, then it would be eliminated. Here were the finalists that didn’t quite make it:
Rides Like the Wind- I love the Native American roots and I am actually 1/64th Pawnee Indian. But my ancesters were able to use every part of the buffalo. I, on the other hand, have a whole bag full of leftover parts from this bike which I have no idea what to do with. It just wouldn’t seem right.
Ferris Wheel- I am scared of heights.
Night Rider- I am scared of the dark.
Chuck Norris- I bought cheap bicyle, that was probably manufacured in Japan, whch I had to assemble myself. It somehow dosn’t seem worthy of the Chuck Norris name.
That left me with only one name on the list…

WALTER
To me…It looks like a Walter.
So, as I peddle Walter off into the sunset…I can’t help but think about everyone else who poured so much time and effort into this challenge. This should somehow be rewarded, SO…
I have decided to enter you all into a second chance drawing for a box of chocolates. On Saturday night, the Multi State Lottery Association will hold a Powerball drawing. I will let the red powerball decide who wins the second chance prize. Notice, each of your comments are numbered. This is your lucky number! Some of you have more than one comment, so you have a better chance of winning. The person who has the number which matches the winning red powerball number wins a box of chocolate! I wish I could send you all something, but I can’t because I bought Walter this month.
Best of Luck to you ALL!

swedenusa said,
April 13, 2007 at 7:01 am
One more thing… I realize that I myself have some comments that could potentially win the prize. So I have decided to give my numbers to the following people who had a comment number higher than 42 (powerball goes from 1-42) so they could have a chance at winning .
#7-Nils
#11-Mom and Dad
#18-Nate
#19-Sylvee
#25-Emil-Hanna
#29-Cynthia
#31-Jaeger
#34-Gary
#40-Shad
There! Now everyone has at least one number! Good Luck!
Sarah said,
April 13, 2007 at 8:58 am
Wow I see how I rate=( My heart is broken. Well I do want you to know that I did enjoy looking up bike nicknames and bike lingo. Love, Aunt Sarah
sam said,
April 13, 2007 at 10:30 am
trail swag was awesome! Just not as awesome as Walter…good luck on the 2nd chance drawing though!
Jonas said,
April 13, 2007 at 10:32 am
Walter…..??????
sam said,
April 13, 2007 at 3:18 pm
yeah….just say it a few times…It really grows on you…
Keith said,
April 13, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Jonas, don’t doubt me.
Thanks, Sam! You know, you can also call it Ol’ Walter.
Johanna said,
April 13, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Man, this stinks… I didn’t get to tell you my suggestion before the competition was closed. Too much to do, stressed out at work and at home and therefore missing my chance!
Oh, well my momma always said life is like a box of chocolates…
I didn’t want the stupid candy anyway! (Kidding, ok!)
Brandon said,
April 13, 2007 at 9:08 pm
Well, well. It’s just an honor to be nominated. So if I print out the contest comments with my powerball # and take it to Tom Thumb, will I get my chocolates there, or will they just give me a dollar for guessing the Powerball?
Also, I would like to add that if I had know you were scared of heights, I would have pointed you to the kiddie ferris wheel and then the saying, “You must be this tall to ride ferris wheel” would have actually been, “You cannot be taller than this (Hold hand just slightly above your head) to ride Ferris Wheel.” Also I do believe that there probably is a Ferris Wheel out there somewhere that is actually called Walter too. That’s what will help me be able to sleep tonight, knowing that Walter can also be the name of a Ferris Wheel.
God Bless you Sam and Walter the Ferris Wheel and Walter the bike.
Nils said,
April 13, 2007 at 9:20 pm
hmmm… Happy Birthday!
Em said,
April 14, 2007 at 12:21 am
As Jonas said, Walter……?
sam said,
April 14, 2007 at 2:50 am
Yeah Brandon hold your head high because you totally made the final round despite the fact that I am scared of heights.
Today I am in Stockholm and there is actually a Ferris Wheel in the area. So when I walk by it, I will give a small cerimony and name it Walter the Ferris Wheel for you.
Anyway your numbers are 9 and 10 and if you win you can try to redeem your chocolates at Tom Thumb, but if that dosn’t work I will just send you some…
Jo, I waited for your submission and I must say I am still curious…Are you going to spill the beans? or save it until the next contest?
Shie said,
April 14, 2007 at 6:48 am
Walter??? I just want to point out, Sam, that you said, “I think your possibility of winning increases exponentially if you can give me a good REASON why your name would fit my bike.”
And then you picked the first guy with no reasons…hmmmmmmmmmm
I would like a revote!! Just kidding. Enjoy the chocolates, Keith.
I cast my next vote for “Ferris Wheel” - #9.
sam said,
April 14, 2007 at 10:55 am
Well, If there is any justice in the world…the powerball will be a 9 or 10 because Brandon worked very hard justifying his proposals.
You are right though…But, every once in a while a name comes along that captures the very essence of a person or object. I felt Walter was that name.
sam said,
April 15, 2007 at 2:29 am
NATE WON! Powerball was #18
Maxima said,
April 15, 2007 at 9:12 am
Walter???
My first vision was Walter Cronkite
next was Walter Brennen (gimmpy leg grandpa McCoy–ask your parents)
PS: What was my number anyway?…I smell a rat.
Maxima said,
April 15, 2007 at 9:13 am
oh, forgot to mention. There is a new saying in the Native American community….Rides Like Walter
Irish said,
April 15, 2007 at 11:16 am
You are very generous, Sam, in giving everyone a chance after you’d chosen the winner! Have fun with Walter!
sam said,
April 15, 2007 at 2:21 pm
OH MAN! Those conspiracys are swirling…I really rocked the boat here. Maxima you had #2 and #24…your numbers correspond to the number by your comments in “the contest blog” entry…then I gave my comment numbers to all the people that had commented after #42 so they had a chance to win too…that was what the comment on top was about…I know I made it confusing…but I promise no matter what mir might say…there was no foul play in either contest…
sam said,
April 15, 2007 at 2:23 pm
I visited Em this weekend and he was a little suspicious too…